Featuring Distinguished Speaker:

His Highness Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi

Head of State of the Independent State of Samoa
Stars of Oceania Luncheon Keynote Address

His Highness Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi, holds the Tupua title of the SaTupua royal family. He also holds the royal Tama-a-Aiga Tamasese and Tui Atua titles. Tui Atua traces genealogy to Micronesia, Melanesia and Polynesia. Tui Atua is a prolific writer and author on traditional wisdom and man’s kinship ties to the Universe. He has written four books and numerous scholarly journals and publications. His recently published book “Su’esu’e Manogi: In Search of Fragrance” focuses on traditional wisdom and the Samoan indigenous reference.

Dr. Stephen Schneider

Nobel Prize winner, Stanford professor

Keynote Speaker - Morning Session

Dr. Stephen H. Schneider is internationally recognized for research, policy analysis and outreach in climate change, with a focus on climate change science, integrated assessment of ecological and economic impacts of human-induced climate change, and identifying viable climate policies and technological solutions. He has been actively involved with the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change), an initiative of the United Nations Environment Program and the World Meteorological Organization, since its origin in 1988. After decades of work, Dr. Schneider, along with four generations of IPCC authors, received a collective Nobel Peace Prize for their joint efforts in 2007.

Dr. David Korten
International best-selling author, Lecturer, Engaged Citizen

Keynote Speaker - Afternoon Session

Dr. David Korten is a leading critic of corporate globalization and a visionary proponent of a planetary system of local living economies. His international best seller “When Corporations Rule the World”, sometimes referred to as the bible of the historic Seattle WTO protest, helped frame the global resistance against corporate globalization. His most recent book, “The Great Turning: From Empire to Earth Community”, illuminates the significance of this resistance by placing it in the historical context of 5,000 years of Empire and the organization of human relationships by dominator hierarchy.

Witi Ihimaera

Author of "Whale Rider"

Witi Ihimaera is the Citizen's Chair at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. He became the first Maori novelist in 1973 with the publication of his novel, "Tangi", and has since written 12 novels, 6 short story collections and edited over 25 books of non-fiction about Maori, Pacific and indigenous culture. Ihimaera is also the author of the book on which the internationally acclaimed film, "Whale Rider" was based; he was Associate Producer of the film. Five further works by him have been optioned for feature film production: "Nights In The Gardens of Spain", "Bulibasha", "Dream Swimmer", "The Uncle's Story" and "Medicine Woman."

The Stars of Oceania Luncheon is coupled with the Pasifika Energy Summit as a single event to provide a forum connecting traditional wisdom with modern knowledge. It is the strength of both traditional wisdom and modern knowledge that may help mankind preserve the only source of wealth that makes a difference: Mother Earth.

The Stars of Oceania Luncheon will recognize and honor traditional leaders from the Pacific who are also elected public officials or community leaders.

The Pasifika Energy Summit will feature prominent speakers and moderated panels of traditional leaders from the Pacific, to share their thoughts on the current status in the Pacific regarding global warming, traditional economics, excessive consumption, environmental degradation, near collapse of the earth eco-systems, alternative, renewable and sustainable energy, applications of modern technology, and the importance of traditional wisdom and guidance. Participants will have the chance to connect with alternative energy companies to discuss solutions that are focused on the reduction of dependency on non-renewable energy for island economies.

All proceeds from the Stars of Oceania Luncheon and the Pasifika Energy Summit will support Pacific Island students attending the University of Hawaii and graduate research development in the Pacific with an academic or developmental focus on Pacific islands studies, the physical sciences, marine sciences, agricultural sciences, environmental sciences, energy sciences, information technology, business and engineering.

To further benefit the Stars of Oceania Scholarship Fund, a silent auction will be offered at the event.

If you are unable to attend the Pasifika Energy Summit, we encourage you to support the Stars of Oceania Scholarship Fund by purchasing Stars of Oceania Luncheon tickets for $60 or by donating directly to the fund.

For more information contact Renata Matcheva at matcheva@hawaii.edu or at 808-956-7275